Neighbours
While the blog was set up to look at Irish opinion polls, there’s one reported in the excellent UK Polling Report that is of some interest to Irish readers.
Aside from the general stuff about Labour and Tories being neck and neck, and the LibDems at 9%, this Yougov poll measured support for the UK’s role in the Irish Bailout.
just under half (48%) of respondents opposed Britain bailing out Ireland, with 36% supporting it. There was overwhelming (74%) rejection of Britain bailing out other European countries such as Portugal. Only 22% agreed with the statement that Britain’s economy was reliant upon our exports to other countries and therefore it was in our interests to help the Eurozone avoid a crisis, 60% think Britain has its own problems and cannot afford to help.
Given the reaction of someone cold-polled may be less considered than someone who had had time to look into the issues, that’s a little higher support for assistance to Ireland than I would have expected. It’s also interesting how much less unpopular it is than similar support for Portugal, although it’s unclear as to whether that’s a result of our closely interlinked economies, or a general fondness for the Micks….
Also, of interest to EU watchers, British Euro-scepticism is strong, although not apparently enough to see a threat to their membership
On the broader question of Britain’s relationship with the EU, 10% would like a more integrated Europe, 14% the status quo, 38% a less integrated Europe and 26% Britain’s total withdrawal from the European Union.
Interestingly, only 12% didn’t feel able to express an opinion. Obviously the fair and balanced reporting of the UK media has resulted in them all being very well informed on EU-related matters…. 😉
Finally, Royal watchers will be delighted to read a number of questions regarding the forthcoming nuptials of a certain young-ish couple. Among the gems….
YouGov also asked whether Kate Middleson should become Princess of Wales, should William be created Prince of Wales in due course. 74% think she should, 13% she shouldn’t.
The Princess of Hearts being the alternative, I suppose…?
Irish Polling Report 
I do find the use of the term bailout in a survey like this to be very pejorative. The UK is not bailing us out, it is lend the state money to repay the money that UK banks lent to Irish banks. Money that we don’t in truth owe them. So it is the Irish taxpayer that is bailing out UK banks by taking on debts that we didn’t incur. And the money is in the form of a loan at a decent interest rate, something I doubt was mentioned in the preamble to the survey question.
Daniel Sullivan
November 29, 2010 at 2:36 pm
True enough, I was guilty of just repeating the question asked – of course the likes of most ppl who’d read this site would know what is involved, but as you say, many of those polled don’t
Dotski
November 30, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Wasn’t aiming the comment at yourself, more at the pollsters.
Daniel Sullivan
November 30, 2010 at 6:12 pm
no worries, I didn’t take it as personal, I just said it cos I think it was a little lazy of me!
Dotski
November 30, 2010 at 6:37 pm